Medical Miracle in Indianola, Mississippi: The Untold Story of Dr. Clinton Battle and the Indianola Conjoined / Matthews Siamese Twins

Abstract

Conjoined twins are very rare. The overall survival rate has been estimated to be approximately 25% to 50%. We report a case of conjoined twins delivered in Indianola, Mississippi in 1955 who made medical history. The Matthews' conjoined twins were the fi rst in history to be separated and both survive. They were delivered in rural Mississippi at home by vaginal delivery by Dr. Clinton Battle, a 29-year-old Meharry School of Medicine graduate. The Matthews twins are now 61 years old (retired school teachers) and their 92-year-old mother, Missouri Matthews, are alive and well living in Mississippi.